Nov 20 The Impacts of the Paris Tragedy on Study Abroad

Friday November 13th was a scary day for many people with the uncertainty and unknowing if friends, family and loved ones in Paris were safe. At 7:02 pm EST (1:02 am in Paris), Skidmore College tried to offer some reassuring news to the Skidmore Community by posting the following statement on the Skidmore College Facebook Page.

Skidmore has 15 students currently studying in Paris. All have been located and are safe at their home-stays. They are being encouraged to shelter in place during the current, volatile developments in that city.

Students studying abroad in Paris resumed classes on Monday November 16th as normally scheduled and Cori Filson, Director Off-Campus Study & Exchanges, said that as of Tuesday November 17th no Skidmore students currently studying abroad or planning on studying abroad next semester in Paris (or any other place in Europe) have decided to withdraw from their program.

For those currently in Paris security measures are being taken. “Our on-campus and Paris-based staff have reminded students of important safety precautions and protocols that they must consider at all times, but especially during times of increased alert,” said Filson. “They have asked students to stay away from large crowds, demonstrations, to remain vigilant of their surroundings and to make sure their phones are fully charge as that is the best way for Skidmore to communicate with them in the case of an emergency,” said Filson.

“We are monitoring national and international resources to stay informed about how these attacks will impact Paris and Europe in general,” said Filson. At the current moment, though, Skidmore does not plan to cancel or restrict study abroad in Paris. “We might need to consider increased security measures in the near future, [but] I cannot imagine a Skidmore study abroad portfolio that does not include the Skidmore in Paris program” said Filson.

Heated diversity discussions that have embroiled Skidmore students and faculty for the last several years reemerged forcefully during the November Faculty meeting. Two of the initiatives that have emerged will be to build a social justice center and to start an Africana Studies Program.